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Maya Angelou said, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” The healing power of sharing my cancer story compelled me to found WWGN. I'm an inspirational speaker, contributor at CURE and Positively Positive, Huffington Post blogger, support volunteer with Cancer Hope Network, member of the Carol G. Simon Cancer Center Oncology Community Advisory Board, patient educator with Pathways Women’s Cancer Teaching Project, wife and mother, and a former very stressed out lawyer.

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Seven Thoughts on Accepting Change After Cancer

It's easy to hate change, especially when it barges in frightening and unwanted. Usually, the first instinct is to fight it every step of the way. But if it's serenity you seek, you're only going to get there by accepting the changes you cannot change.

When I'm struggling with change (which happens much more than I like to admit) the following help me see things through different eyes:

2. "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Mahatma Gandhi - Change isn't only something that happens to us, we can and must be proactive if we want to make change for the better in the world.

3. "If you don't like something change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude." - Maya Angelou - If you are enduring difficulties, you always have a choice as to how you approach your situation.

4. "Change your life today. Don't gamble on the future, act now, without delay." - Simone de Beauvoir - So many of us put off making changes out of fear of the unknown. The bottom line is all we have is today. If you want to make a change, do it now.

Comments

Hello, thank you for this opportunity to write down my pain. My partner just finished (yesterday) cancer treatments for kidney cancer. He struggles with many things, like the type of cAncer, possible side affects etc. I and his care team (his two daughters) thought that he would be so happy when the treatments ended. The reverse has happened...he asked the oncologist is her would be able to go in the sun...he loves being in th sun as we live in the cold north. The oncologist suggested that he could but to cover the area that was radiated (mid-torso). I felt this was sensible but my partner bcame extremely angry and when we got home he went to bed, pulled the covers over his head and stayed there for 24 hours. When he speaks to me it is very clipped and the anger is palpable! It is also very toxic to me...he reverts to anger quickly,but nirmally keeps it in check. I am so distraught...I have planned a trip away with my family for the next week...more just to get away from the tioxicty here. The sadness I feel is profound because we have always had a very loving, exciting beautiful relationship. Not sure of what to do or how to go forward...

Unfortunately, I know many, many cancer survivors (myself included) who struggled at the end of treatment. During treatment you're so involved with the process that you don't have a lot of time to deal with the emotional part of cancer. Then, all of a sudden, treatment is over and everything you've been through comes crashing down. I remember being so upset (and mad) when I couldn't lift my legs up in a Pilates class. I was ticked that it was just one more thing that cancer had taken from me. I know it's really difficult now, but it gets better with time. Also, what really helped me was talking with other survivors. It takes time and support to process emotions and work through the new normal of cancer. It's very hard on family too, I know. Make sure you take care of you, too. Join a caregiver support group or speak to a counselor at the cancer center. Good luck to both of you.

February,2016 I was diagnosed.surgery March 28, first Chemotherapy May 10 - July 12. Then 8 weeks of radiation. I have not seen the doctor since. They gave me a 6 month return appointment. That won't be until May 2017. I don't know what to expect.Is my cancergone ? Is it netastizing in my body? Wh n can I call myself a "Breast Cancer Survivor"?

The definition of cancer survivor is any person diagnosed with cancer, from the time of initial diagnosis until her death. So, feel free to call yourself a "Breast Cancer Survivor" right now, you've certainly earned the right. As to your other questions, I know how hard it is to wait for information - getting more and more anxious as time goes by. One thing I learned was that I had the right to reach out when I needed support and answers. Call your doctor's office and talk with a nurse or patient navigator. Go to your cancer center and join a support group or see a social worker. You don't have to wait in silence and worry all by yourself. Reach out and you'll be glad you did.

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